Unitary body hollow tie for a switch machine

ABSTRACT

A tie system having at least one tie with a generally hollow, unitary body. The tie body is preferably made from a metal such as, but not limited to, steel. The tie is created as a unitary body and may be cast in its final form, however, in a preferred embodiment, the body is created as a tube which is then deformed into the final shape. Once the tube has the desired shape, a plurality of openings are cut therein. Components of the switch machine are then disposed within the tie body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a unitary body hollow tie for a railroad switch machine and, more specifically, to a unitary body hollow tie structured to substantially enclose a plurality of substantially straight elongated rods that extend between a switch machine actuator and a pair of movable rails.

2. Background Information

Railroad switching systems are generally understood by persons skilled in the art. A typical railroad includes a pair of spaced rails disposed upon, and coupled to, a plurality of generally solid ties. The space between a pair of ties is called a “crib.” The ties, which are typically wood or concrete, are disposed upon a bed of ballast. The ballast also fills the cribs between the ties. The ballast is typically a loose aggregate such as, but not limited to, gravel which must be compacted, or “tamped,” periodically to maintain support of the railroad ties. Equipment is available to perform the tamping. Such equipment is commonly identified as a “tamping machine.” The tamping machines are structured to engage and vibrate the ballast disposed between the ties. Because the spacing between ties is generally regular, the tamping machines may be constructed to automatically advance along a railroad track while stopping and tamping the ballast in each crib. The tamping machines, however, must be manually controlled or not used at the location of a railroad switch machine.

A railroad switch machine includes an actuator, a pair of movable rails and a linkage having a plurality of elongated connecting rods extending between the actuator and the movable rails. The actuator is structured to move the connecting rods, and therefore the movable rails, between a first position and a second position. Traditionally, the connecting rods were mainly disposed in a crib; however, to provide support to the movable rails, the connecting rods were coupled to the movable rails at a location over a tie. To be both disposed in a crib and coupled to the movable rails over a tie, the connecting rods typically include a number of complex bends. Such complex-bent linkage components are expensive to manufacture. Additionally, the ballast in the cribs through which the linkage components extend must be tamped by hand during a tamping operation to avoid damaging the linkage components. Moreover, since the accumulation of ice and the like within the ballast can cause the ballast material to freeze, linkage components extending through the ballast can become difficult to move under freezing conditions.

To reduce the cost and complexity of such linkage components, hollow ties structured to substantially enclose a plurality of substantially straight connecting rods have been used. See for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/614,755, which is incorporated by reference. The linkage included lugs having vertical extensions that extended through upwardly facing openings in the tie. Thus, the connecting rods were not disposed within a crib and could be manufactured without complex bends. The ties used with such straight connecting rods were two-piece ties, generally split along a central plane. Such split ties could be installed in difficult to access locations. Such split ties, however, included additional coupling devices and insulators, all of which are subject to wear and tear. Further, the split ties had other disadvantages such as a lack of covers over the upwardly facing openings, a lack of a switch device actuator support and tie plates that did not extend over the upwardly facing openings. In this configuration the tie plates did not reinforce the tie about the upwardly facing openings.

There is, therefore, a need for a tie assembly having a generally hollow, unitary body.

There is a further need for a tie assembly having covers substantially extending over any upwardly facing openings in a hollow tie body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs, and others, are met by at least one embodiment of the invention set forth below which provides a tie assembly having at least one tie with a generally hollow, unitary body. The tie body is preferably made from a metal such as, but not limited to, steel. The tie is created as a unitary body and may be cast in its final form, however, in a preferred embodiment, the body is created as a tube which is then deformed into the final shape. Once the tube has the desired shape, the tube is cut to the appropriate length and a plurality of openings are cut therein. Components of the switch machine are then disposed within the tie body. That is, components such as connecting rods are disposed within the tie body and structured to move within the tie body. Other components of the switch machine, such as lugs, are coupled to the rods and extend upwardly through the openings. The lugs are further coupled to the movable rails of the switch machine.

Preferably, the tie is part of a larger tie system that includes a first tie assembly and a second tie assembly, as well as a pair of support ties structured to support a switch machine actuator. That is, as in the prior art, the switch machine preferably has two sets of rods, a first plurality of substantially straight, elongated rods, and a second plurality of substantially straight, elongated rods. Each set of rods is coupled to the movable rails via a first plurality of lugs and a second plurality of lugs, respectively. Accordingly, the tie system includes two unitary body tie assemblies, a first tie assembly and a second tie assembly, each having a hollow, unitary body tie.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a railroad and switch machine.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a tie body.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a tie body.

FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of a tie body.

FIG. 5 is a partial view of a switch machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit; that is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together, e.g., by fasteners, welding or any other method, is not a “unitary” component or body.

As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs.

As shown in FIG. 1, a railroad 10 includes a pair of spaced, fixed rails, a first fixed rail 12 and a second fixed rail 14, disposed on a plurality of ties 16. The ties 16 are, typically, supported by a bed of ballast 18 which is a loose aggregate such as, but not limited to, gravel. The railroad 10 further includes a switch machine 20 that is structured to allow a railroad vehicle to move between the rails 12, 14 and another set of rails (not shown). The switch machine 20 includes a pair of movable rails, a first movable rail 22 and a second movable rail 24, an actuator 26, a first plurality of substantially straight, elongated rods 28, a second plurality of substantially straight, elongated rods 30, a first plurality of lugs 32, and a second plurality of lugs 34. The movable rails 22, 24 have a more narrow gage than the fixed rails 12, 14, and the movable rails 22, 24 are disposed within, and extend generally parallel to, the fixed rails 12, 14. More specifically, the movable rails 22, 24 are structured to move between a first position, wherein the first movable rail 22 is immediately adjacent to the first fixed rail 12 and the second movable rail 24 is spaced from the second fixed rail 14, and a second position wherein the first movable rail 22 is spaced from the first fixed rail 12 and the second movable rail 24 is immediately adjacent to the second fixed rail 14. The movement of the movable rails 22, 24 is effected by the actuator 26. That is, the actuator 26 is coupled to both the first and second pluralities of elongated rods 28, 30. The first and second pluralities of elongated rods 28, 30 are coupled to the first and second pluralities of lugs 32, 34. The first and second pluralities of lugs 32, 34 are coupled to the movable rails 22, 24. The actuator 26 is structured to move the first and second pluralities of elongated rods 28, 30 longitudinally between a first and second position. The movement of the first and second pluralities of elongated rods 28, 30 is transferred to the first and second pluralities of lugs 32, 34 which in turn move the movable rails 22, 24 between the first and second position.

The switch machine 20 further includes a tie system 40 structured to support the actuator 26 and partially enclose the first and second pluralities of elongated rods 28, 30. The tie system 40 includes a first tie assembly 42, a second tie assembly 44, and may include a first support tie 46 and a second support tie 48. Each tie assembly 42, 44 includes a generally hollow, unitary body 50. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the tie assembly tie body 50, preferably, has a generally rectangular, hollow cross-section including a generally planar bottom plate 52, having a first side 54 and a second side 56, a first vertical, generally planar side plate 58, a second vertical, generally planar side plate 60, and a generally planar top plate 62. The top plate 62 has an upper surface 64. The tie body first side plate 58 extends from the first tie assembly body bottom plate first side 54. The tie body second side plate 60 extends from the body bottom plate second side 56. The tie body top plate 62 extends between the tie body first side plate 58 and the tie body second side plate 60. Although each tie body 50 includes a plurality of generally flat plates 52, 58, 60, 62, the tie body 50 is a unitary body created as a single component. That is, the tie body 50 is originally created as a tubular element. The tubular element may be cast or extruded in the appropriate size/shape, or the tubular element may be cast or extruded as, for example, a round tube. Such a round tube would be altered by a press or similar device to reshape the tubular element into the desired tie body 50 shape. The generally flat plates 52, 58, 60, 62 of the tie body 50 are not coupled together by a coupling device such as, but not limited to, fasteners or welding. The tie body 50, preferably, has a length of between about 136 inches and 165 inches, and more preferably, about 160 inches. The tie body upper surface 64 has at least one opening 66 and preferably a first lug opening 67, a second lug opening 68, and a switch machine actuator opening 69. The first and second lug openings 67, 68 are disposed on the medial portion of the tie body upper surface 64. The switch machine actuator opening 69 is disposed adjacent to one end of the tie body 50.

As the tie body 50 for the first tie assembly 42 and the second tie assembly 44 are substantially similar, identical reference numbers will be used to refer to either the first tie assembly body 50′ or the second tie assembly body 50″. As indicated in the previous sentence, however, when there is a need to refer to a specific tie body 50, for example the tie body 50 in the first tie assembly 42, the reference numbers will hereinafter be identified with a single prime symbol, for example: the first tie assembly body 50′. This notation will also be shown in the Figures. Similarly, when referring to the tie body 50 in the second tie assembly 44, the reference numbers will hereinafter be identified with a double prime symbol, for example: the second tie assembly body 50″.

The tie body 50 also includes a heater mounting 70 disposed within the tie body 50. The heater mounting 70 is structured to support an elongated heater element 72 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tie body 50. The heater element 72 is coupled to a power source and a control unit (not shown) and is structured to generate heat. The heater mounting 70, preferably, includes a plurality of brackets 74 disposed on either the bottom plate 52.

As shown in FIG. 5, each tie assembly 42, 44 further includes a tie plate assembly 80. As with the tie bodies 50, the first tie assembly tie plate assembly 80′ and the second tie assembly tie plate assembly 80″ are substantially similar. As such, the following description shall address a tie plate assembly 80 that may be included with either the first tie assembly 42 or the second tie assembly 44. It is understood that when the description and the Figures address a tie plate assembly 80 included with the first tie assembly 42, the reference numbers will include a single prime symbol. Similarly, it is understood that when the description and the Figures address a tie plate assembly 80 included with the second tie assembly 44, the reference numbers will include a double prime symbol. The tie plate assembly 80 includes at least one tie plate 82 and at least one insulator 84. The at least one tie plate 82 includes a tie plate body 81 and an opening or slot 86, discussed below, and a track channel 83. As is known in the art, the track channel 83 is structured to have a fixed rail 14 disposed therein. The fixed rail 14 is coupled to the at least one tie plate 82 by a fastening device, such as, but not limited to a clip 85.

The at least one tie plate 82 is coupled to the tie body upper surface 64 and disposed over the tie body at least one opening 66. The at least one insulator 84 is disposed between the at least one tie plate 82 and the tie body upper surface 64. The at least one insulator 84 is structured to prevent current from passing between the at least one tie plate 82 and the tie body 50.

In one embodiment, each tie plate assembly 80 includes a first tie plate 90, a second tie plate 92, a first insulator 94 and a second insulator 96. The first tie plate 90 has a generally flat body 100 defining a slot 102. The second tie plate 92 also has a generally flat body 104 defining a slot 106. The first tie plate 90 is coupled to tie body upper surface 64 over the first lug opening 67. The first insulator 94 is disposed between the first tie plate 90 and tie body upper surface 64. The second tie plate 92 is also coupled to the tie body upper surface 64 over said second lug opening 68. The second insulator 96 is disposed between the second tie plate 92 and the tie body upper surface 64. Preferably, each tie plate assembly 80 also includes a gage insulator 110 as well. The gage insulator 110 has a non-conductive body 112. The gage insulator 110 is disposed between the first tie plate 90 and the second tie plate 92 and maintains the first tie plate 90 and the second tie plate 92 spacing. The width of the gage insulator 110 may vary as required to maintain the desired spacing of each tie plate track channel 83, and therefore maintain the desired spacing of the fixed rails 14.

Each tie assembly 42, 44 preferably includes a cover assembly 120. As before, while only one cover assembly 120 is discussed below, if needed for clarification in the specification and the figures, components of the cover assembly 120 associated first tie assembly may be identified with a single prime symbol and components of the cover assembly 120 associated second tie assembly may be identified with a double prime symbol. For example, there is a first tie assembly cover assembly 120′ and a second tie assembly cover assembly 120″. Each cover assembly 120 includes a machine actuator opening cover 122, a first lug opening cover 124 and a second lug opening cover 126. The machine actuator opening cover 122 is structured to cover the tie body machine actuator opening 69. The first lug opening cover 124 is structured to cover the first lug opening 67. The second lug opening cover 126 is structured to cover the first lug opening 68. The covers 122, 124, 126 are structured to be spaced above the tie body upper surface 64 while extending substantially over the associated openings 69, 67, 68 respectively. In this configuration, ballast and other debris is substantially prevented from falling vertically into the tie body 50. The first plurality of lugs 32 and the second plurality of lugs 34, however, may move laterally in the space between the covers 122, 124, 126 and the tie body upper surface 64.

The first support tie 46 has a body 130 that is, preferably, structured to be disposed on the outer side of the fixed rails 14 immediately adjacent to the first tie assembly tie body 50′. The first support tie body 130 has a length, preferably, between 30 inches and 36 inches, and more preferably 33 inches. The first support tie body 130 has an upper surface 132 having a saddle block support 134. The first tie assembly saddle block support 134 is structured to support the switch machine actuator 26. The first tie assembly saddle block support 134 has a first block 136 and a second block 138. The first tie assembly first block 136 and the first tie assembly second block 138 extend upwardly from the first tie assembly support tie upper surface 64′.

The second support tie 48 has a body 140 that is, preferably, structured to be disposed on the outer side of the fixed rails 14 immediately adjacent to the second tie assembly tie body 50″. The second support tie body 140 has a length, preferably, between 30 inches and 36 inches, and more preferably 33 inches. The second support tie body 140 has an upper surface 142 having a saddle block support 144. The second tie assembly saddle block support 144 is structured to support the switch machine actuator 26. The second tie assembly saddle block support 144 has a first block 146 and a second block 148. The second tie assembly first block 146 and the second tie assembly second block 148 extend upwardly from the second tie assembly support tie upper surface 64″.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof. 

1. A tie system for a railroad and switch machine, said railroad having a pair of spaced, fixed rails, said switch machine having an actuator, a pair of movable rails, a first plurality of substantially straight, elongated rods, a second plurality of substantially straight, elongated rods, said actuator coupled to both said first and second pluralities of rods and structured to move said first and second pluralities of rods between a first position and a second position, said first plurality of rods coupled to said movable rails by a first plurality of lugs, said second plurality of rods coupled to said movable rails by a second plurality of lugs, both said first and second pluralities of lugs having a vertical extension, wherein the movement of said first and second pluralities of rods between a first position and a second position move said movable rails between a first position and a second position, said tie system comprising: a first tie assembly having a unitary body and a tie plate assembly, said first tie assembly body structured to extend under said fixed rails and defining a partially enclosed space having an upper surface and at least one opening through said upper surface, said first tie assembly tie plate assembly having at least one generally flat body defining an elongated slot, said first tie assembly tie plate assembly disposed on said first tie assembly body upper surface over said first tie assembly body upper surface opening; a second tie assembly having a unitary body and a tie plate assembly, said second tie assembly body structured to extend under said fixed rails and defining a partially enclosed space having an upper surface and at least one opening through said upper surface, said second tie assembly tie plate assembly having at least one generally flat body defining an elongated slot, said second tie assembly tie plate assembly disposed on said second tie assembly body upper surface over said second tie assembly body upper surface opening; and wherein said fixed rails extend over said first tie assembly body and said second tie assembly body, said movable rails extend over said first tie assembly body and said second tie assembly body, said first plurality of rods extend within said first tie assembly body, said second plurality of rods extend within said second tie assembly body, said first plurality of lugs extending through said first tie assembly tie plate assembly slot and said second plurality of lugs extending through said second tie assembly tie plate assembly slot.
 2. The tie system of claim 1 wherein: said first tie assembly body has a generally rectangular, hollow cross-section including a generally planar bottom plate having a first side and a second side, a first vertical, generally planar side plate, a second vertical, generally planar side plate, and a generally planar top plate, said upper surface being on said top plate, said first tie assembly body first side plate extending from said first tie assembly body bottom plate first side, said first tie assembly body second side plate extending from said first tie assembly body bottom plate second side, said first tie assembly body top plate extending between said first tie assembly body first side plate and said first tie assembly body second side plate; and said second tie assembly body has a generally rectangular, hollow cross-section including a generally planar bottom plate having a first side and a second side, a first vertical, generally planar side plate, a second vertical, generally planar side plate, and a generally planar top plate, said upper surface being on said top plate, said second tie assembly first side plate extending from said second tie assembly bottom plate first side, said second tie assembly second side plate extending from said second tie assembly bottom plate second side, said second tie assembly top plate extending between said second tie assembly first side plate and said second tie assembly second side plate.
 3. The tie system of claim 2 wherein: said first tie assembly has heater mounting within said first tie assembly body; and said second tie assembly has heater mounting within said first tie assembly body.
 4. The tie system of claim 2 wherein: said first tie assembly body has a length between about 136 inches and 165 inches; and said second tie assembly body has a length between about 136 inches and 165 inches.
 5. The tie system of claim 2 wherein: said first tie assembly body has a length of about 160 inches; and said second tie assembly body has a length of about 160 inches.
 6. The tie system of claim 2 wherein: said first tie assembly tie plate assembly includes at least one tie plate and at least one insulator, said at least one tie plate having a generally flat body defining a slot, said at least one tie plate coupled to said first tie assembly body upper surface over said first tie assembly body upper surface at least one opening, said at least one insulator disposed between said at least one tie plate and said first tie assembly body upper surface; and said second tie assembly tie plate assembly includes at least one tie plate and at least one insulator, said at least one tie plate having a generally flat body defining a slot, said at least one tie plate coupled to said second tie assembly body upper surface over said second tie assembly body upper surface at least one opening, said at least one insulator disposed between said at least one tie plate and said second tie assembly body upper surface.
 7. The tie system of claim 6 wherein: said first tie assembly body top plate includes a first lug opening and a second lug opening; said first tie assembly tie plate assembly includes a first tie plate, a second tie plate, a first insulator and a second insulator, said first tie assembly first tie plate having a generally flat body defining a slot, said first tie assembly second tie plate having a generally flat body defining a slot, said first tie assembly first tie plate coupled to said first tie assembly body upper surface over said first tie assembly first lug opening, said first tie assembly first insulator disposed between said first tie assembly first tie plate and said first tie assembly body upper surface, said first tie assembly second tie plate coupled to said first tie assembly body upper surface over said first tie assembly second lug opening, said first tie assembly second insulator disposed between said first tie assembly second tie plate and said first tie assembly body upper surface; said second tie assembly body top plate includes a first lug opening and a second lug opening; and said second tie assembly tie plate assembly includes a first tie plate, a second tie plate, a first insulator and a second insulator, said second tie assembly first tie plate having a generally flat body defining a slot, said second tie assembly second tie plate having a generally flat body defining a slot, said second tie assembly first tie plate coupled to said second tie assembly body upper surface over said second tie assembly first lug opening, said second tie assembly first insulator disposed between said second tie assembly first tie plate and said second tie assembly body upper surface, said second tie assembly second tie plate coupled to said second tie assembly body upper surface over said second tie assembly second lug opening, said second tie assembly second insulator disposed between said second tie assembly second tie plate and said second tie assembly body upper surface.
 8. The tie system of claim 7 wherein: said first tie assembly body includes a switch machine actuator opening on said first tie assembly body top plate; said second tie assembly body includes a switch machine actuator opening on said second tie assembly body top plate; said first tie assembly includes a cover assembly; said first tie assembly cover assembly having a machine actuator opening cover, a first lug opening cover and a second lug opening cover; said first tie assembly machine actuator opening cover structured to cover said first tie assembly machine actuator opening, said first tie assembly machine first lug opening cover structured to cover said first tie assembly machine first lug opening, said first tie assembly machine second lug opening cover structured to cover said first tie assembly machine second lug opening; said second tie assembly includes a cover assembly; said second tie assembly cover assembly having a machine actuator opening cover, a first lug opening cover and a second lug opening cover; and said second tie assembly machine actuator opening cover structured to cover said second tie assembly machine actuator opening, said second tie assembly machine first lug opening cover structured to cover said second tie assembly machine first lug opening, said second tie assembly machine second lug opening cover structured to cover said second tie assembly machine second lug opening.
 9. The tie system of claim 1 wherein: said first tie assembly includes a support tie, said first tie assembly support tie structured to support said switch machine actuator; and said second tie assembly includes a support tie, said second tie assembly support tie structured to support said switch machine actuator.
 10. The tie system of claim 9 wherein: said first tie assembly support tie has an upper surface; said first tie assembly support tie includes a saddle block support having a first block and a second block, said first block and said second block extending upwardly from said first tie assembly support tie upper surface; said second tie assembly support tie has an upper surface; and said second tie assembly support tie includes a saddle block support having a first block and a second block, said first block and said second block extending upwardly from said second tie assembly support tie upper surface. 